Module:Dump/doc

This module can dump a table by displaying its contents as text. That may help develop other modules.

An alternative is to use mw.dumpObject() but the result from this module is clearer and is close to valid Lua source.

Dump of a Wikidata entity

When working with Wikidata, it can be useful to examine a table representing an entity.

For example, Southern African Large Telescope is d:Q833639. That entity can be viewed as a Lua table by previewing:

{{#invoke:dump|wikidata|Q833639}}

To do that, edit your sandbox and replace its contents with the above line, then click Show preview. Module talk:Dump shows this example.

If wanted, the width of each indented column can be set, for example to 2 spaces:

{{#invoke:dump|wikidata|Q833639|indent=2}}

Complex table example

The module contains a complex table for testing. The table can be displayed by previewing:

{{#invoke:dump|testcase}}

Global table _G

In Lua, _G is a global variable which is a table holding information about all global variables. The _G table can be displayed by previewing (both G and _G work):

{{#invoke:dump|testcase|G}}

If wanted, the width of each indented column can be set, for example to 2 spaces:

{{#invoke:dump|testcase|G|indent=2}}